Nylon: features, scope and types

In the modern world, wherever you look, everywhere, one way or another, there are synthetic materials. After decades of craze, the term “synthetics” today sounds almost like a curse word, and in vain.

Actually, nylon is a whole family of polymers (synthetic polyamides). Under the familiar name, such varieties are hidden.

• Nylon. In Russia it is called anide, in the USA - nylon 66.
• Poly-ε-caproamide. In Russia - kapron, in the USA - nylon 6.
• Poly-ω-enantoamide. In Russia - enanth, in the USA - nylon 7.
• Poly-ω-undecanamide. In Russia - undecane, in France and Italy - rilsan, in the USA - nylon 11.

Nylon is synthesized based on amide and acetic acids, during the polymerization of which a new substance is formed, in the molten state it is able to stretch to the thinnest fiber, without losing strength properties. To obtain such a fiber, the polymer melt is passed through special caps with many tiny holes. After cooling (the polymer can cool both when blowing and in special bathtubs), a synthetic fiber - a nylon thread - is wound on a bobbin. Everything, "yarn" is ready.Then synthetic fabric is woven from it on an ordinary loom - here the process is no different from the production of fabrics from natural fibers.

Nylon was synthesized in 1935 in America by Wallace Carothers at DuPont. The discovery of neoprene and polyester also belongs to this brilliant organic chemist. As for nylon (it was then called polyamide 6.6), it became available to the general public since 1938, immediately making a splash as an excellent material for making women's stockings. The debut took place at the World Exhibition in New York. After her, the excitement was terrible, just think about it: silk stockings were sold as a fake, pretending to be nylon.

Since 1939, with the outbreak of World War II, the monopoly on the synthesis of nylon passed to the military industry - all production facilities were used to produce goods for the army: parachutes, tents, tents, body armor and equipment covers are still made from nylon. After the war, nylon triumphantly returned to peaceful life and continued its march on the planet.

In addition to our usual fabrics, nylons are actively used in industry:

• rigid nylon - ekolon - is used for the manufacture of plastic products;
• a nylon coating is applied on contacting surfaces to reduce the coefficient of friction in metal bushings, housings and bearing shells for reliable and durable operation of mechanisms;
• thin nylon films are used for packaging products in the food industry;
• in the automotive industry, airbags are made from nylon, some parts under the hood of the car: engine covers, components of the cooling and heating systems, etc .;
• synthetic strings are made from nylon for instruments such as a guitar, dombra and some others;
• in dentistry, dentures are made from it, as an alternative for patients with allergies to acrylic and metal.

Nylon especially “flourished” in the 50s in the textile industry, becoming perhaps the most fashionable material. Without it, today the production of the following products is unthinkable.

• Hosiery. They are elastic, hold their shape well, especially in the heel area, thanks to the production method: thermal fixation on the template form. They do not stretch on the shins, fit the ankle, and do not slip when worn - it is not surprising that, as soon as such a miracle appeared, nylon stockings were snapped up faster than hot cakes.
• Swimwear and underwear. The property of nylon to fit the body, slightly pulling off the curvaceous, is appreciated by manufacturers of correctional underwear. Bright and fast-drying swimwear is indispensable when relaxing at sea.
• Everyday, outer, military and sportswear. Lightweight, durable, well-stretching, dirt and water repellent, bright and indelible clothes made of nylon are relevant today.
• Tourist and military tents and backpacks. Windproof, waterproof tents and durable backpacks that can withstand considerable weight, resistant to damage - these products are readily bought up by participants in hiking trips, expeditions, outdoor enthusiasts and, of course, military departments.

• Sports and travel bags. Necessary for any trip, even just going to the gym, nylon bags, light and durable, will not find a replacement for a long time.
• Domes and slings of parachutes. Here, nylon to this day firmly holds the palm.
• Sails for river and sea small vessels. Although the time of sailboats in the past, sailing is quite active, for example, participating in a regatta.
• Curtain, bedspreads, tablecloths. It does not absorb dirt, repels water, is easily and efficiently washed, bright and durable - nylon home textiles are very popular.
• Kevlar body armor. Appearing in the 50s, during the Korean War, body armor from several layers of nylon saved many lives.
• Life vests. Bright inflatable rescue equipment provides safety on the water.
• Flags. A nylon flag would also fly on the Moon, where Neil Armstrong set it if the Moon had an atmosphere and, accordingly, the wind.
• Covers and awnings. Under them is hidden and military equipment, and tables in cafes. Mobile phones and hunting rifles are hidden in covers.

Clothing and nylon products will please you:

• esthetic appearance - gloss and smoothness nylon is very similar to silk;
• brightness and color fastness and shades;
• lightness - the body practically does not feel the weight of the tissue;
• strength and durability, without losing the shape, look and color of the new thing;
• inability to rot;
• unpretentiousness in leaving, after all, such clothes can be worn after washing, without wasting time ironing: the fabric practically does not wrinkle, it is easy to wash it off even in cold water with your hands, and do not dry for long;
• non-windproof, which, undoubtedly, is very valuable for the top autumn-winter clothes;
• affordable price.

Any coin has two sides - along with the excellent qualities of nylon, which made it more expensive than natural silk for some time, there are also disadvantages.

• The potential allergenicity of the composition of the synthetic fabric, which can fully manifest itself when wearing things in hot weather: sweating, sensitive skin will react with itching, redness and peeling. You can get rid of this drawback of nylon clothing by wearing items made from natural materials.
• Does not pass water and air. However, what is a drawback for, for example, a summer blouse, will be a clear advantage for an autumn jacket.
• Nylon must not be exposed to high temperatures - the fabric is deformed.
• Accumulates static electricity ("electrified").
• Non-environmental - does not decompose naturally, contributing to environmental pollution.

To improve certain properties of nylon, the fabric is reinforced, impregnated, polymer films are applied, and other fibers are added to the threads.

In order to increase its elasticity, elastomers (polymer fibers with high extensibility) are added to nylon threads - elastane, aka lycra, aka spandex. Such fabrics are more often used for sportswear. It fits the body tightly, without restricting movements. Athletes appreciate the smoothness of the surface in those sports where it is necessary to minimize aerodynamic drag, for example, in cycling.

It is possible to spell the name both “ripstop” and “rip-stop”. To increase the tensile strength of nylon fabric, reinforcement is used. Reinforcing threads sew such a fabric lengthwise and across, evenly, with an indent of 5-8 millimeters, forming “cells”. If a sharp object penetrates the fabric, the damage is likely to be limited to one such cell. Ripstop found its use as a durable fabric for sewing workwear for hunting, fishing, hiking, expeditions. Also from it sew covers for weapons and mobile phones, flags, sails and parachutes, awnings and awnings.

This is a fabric made of cut and twisted fibers, coated with silicone or polyurethane film to enhance the water-repellent properties of nylon. It is mainly used for the manufacture of military or tourist equipment: clothes, backpacks, tents and tents.The concept is collective, as many strong nylon fabrics are called, although the name "Cordura" is the name of the brand.

Due to the difference from nylon by only one group of atoms, Kevlar has such a unique strength that several layers of fabric can stop bullets. True, while it is noticeably heavier than nylon. Bulletproof vests are made from Kevlar, and for peaceful purposes they are used in the manufacture of boots for tracking, motorcycle equipment.

Many natural fabrics without synthetic impurities stretch or “sit down” too much, clothes from them quickly lose their original appearance when worn and re-washed. The addition of nylon threads extends the life of products made from fabrics such as cotton or wool, while maintaining an attractive appearance and shape.

The uniqueness of this yarn lies in the fact that the banon itself, like its products, is able to absorb the amount of water exceeding 13 times the weight of the yarn itself. It would seem a strange property for hydrophobic (i.e. moisture repellent) nylon. This is explained not by the absorption of water directly into the filament material, but by the retention of H2O molecules between the crimped yarn fibers.

The simplicity of caring for clothes made of nylon made him the darling of the ever-hurrying residents of megacities. The same property is very appreciated in the field - not only do the products practically do not absorb dirt, they are easy to wash even with cold water. In order not to spoil the thing, follow a few fairly simple recommendations.

• Do not expose to high temperatures, do not wash at temperatures above 30-40 degrees. Both hand and machine wash and spin are possible. If you wash in an automatic washing machine, it is better to choose a special program called “Synthetics” or “Delicate fabrics”, otherwise, remove an incomprehensible crumpled deformed lump from the washing machine. Of course, it is impossible to digest nylon products.
• If for some reason you still decided to iron the nylon thing, do it very carefully, exposing the iron relay to the lowest possible temperature, because it is very easy to burn such a fabric.

• Do not dry on batteries or heaters, do not expose to direct sunlight: you risk burning a delicate nylon fabric or removing a warped thing from the heater.
• Do not use chlorine bleach. You can hopelessly spoil the color of a bright product or instead of bleaching, you will achieve a yellowing of a white thing. Choose bleaches based on active oxygen. Yes, they are more expensive, but much more efficient and guaranteed will not spoil the fabric.
• Sort the laundry before washing: white clothes or a nylon tablecloth will instantly turn gray when washing with darker “neighbors”. Moreover, cotton, synthetics and wool cannot be washed together - they have different optimal washing temperatures.
• Before putting on such clothes, use an antistatic aerosol to prevent the fabric from sticking, or use an anti-static conditioner when washing, adding it to the special compartment of the washing machine.

This is now a fashionista with the word "synthetics" wrinkles her nose and refuses to wear a nylon dress. And in the 40-50s of the last century, such things were trendy. Nowadays, the production of clothes made of polymer has faded into the background, but such invaluable properties as strength, elasticity, wear resistance, air and water resistance of nylon will keep it from complete oblivion for a long time. The military and tourists, fishermen and hunters, paratroopers and lovers of sailing regattas are undoubted fans of this inexpensive and “indestructible” material.

In the next documentary from the series “About” you will learn about all the secrets of nylon.